ImageText for Fall 2011

Just came across the following:

ImageTexT

Volume 6, Issue 1 (Fall 2011)

Contents:
Fidelity and Period Aesthetics in Comics Adaptation byMatthew Bolton
The Violence Museum: Aesthetic Wounds from Popeye toWe3 by Jonathan Gaboury
Two Texts on "Comics" from China, ca. 1932: "In Defense of 'Comic Strips'" by Lu Xun and "Comic Strip Novels" by Mao Dun by Sean Macdonald
When Photographs Aren't Quite Enough: Reflections on Photography and Cartooning in Le Photographe by Nancy Pedri
The Empirical Twilight: A Pony's Guide to Science & Anarchism by Walton Wood

Review of Charles M. Schulz's My Life With Charlie Brown by Eric L. Berlatsky
Review of History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels by Anne Cirella-Urrutia
Surveying the Field: Recent Scholarship on Superheroines by Megan Condis
Review of Caped Crusaders 101: Composition through Comic Books by Michael Dean
Book Art: a review of Art of McSweeney's by Zara Dinnen
Review of Theodor SEUSS Geisel by Donald E. Pease by Rebekah Fitzsimmons
Review of Drawing France: French Comics and the Republic by Andréa L. Gilroy
Review of José Alaniz' Komiks: Comic Art in Russia by Alison Mandaville
Review of Teaching Visual Literacy by Clinton L. Robison
Review of Toni Johnson-Woods' MANGA by Caleb Simmons
Review of Animators Unearthed: A Guide to the Best of Contemporary Animation by Walton Wood

SANE 1.2 on Alan Moore

The new issue of Sequential Art Narrative in Education is now available. The journal is provided free of charge but accepts donations from readers.


VOL 1, NO 2 (2011)
TEACHING THE WORKS OF ALAN MOORE


Articles examining how the comics of Alan Moore and his associates can/should/ought to be taught and the issues surrounding teaching Moore's work in various classroom settings.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Introduction to Edition 1:2: "Teaching the Works of Alan Moore" PDF
James Bucky Carter, Ph.D. i-iii

Comprehending Comics and Graphic Novels: Watchmen as a Case for Cognition PDF
Travis White-Schwoch, David Rapp, Ph.D. 1-16

Lost [and Found] Girls: Teaching a College Course in Alan moore PDF
Matthew J. Smith 17-28

Learning "Stuff" and Using V for Vendetta in the Composition Classroom PDF
Stacey L Kikendall 29-42


RATIONALES
Rationale for V for Vendetta PDF
Susan Spangler 43-46

Rationale for Teaching Watchmen PDF
John Carl Weaver 47-51

Rationale for Saga of the Swamp Thing Volume 1 PDF
James Bucky Carter, Ph.D. 52-55


REVIEWS
Review of Di Liddo's Alan Moore: Comics as Performance, Fiction as Scalpel PDF
Orion Ussner Kidder 56-58

DC Comics for the Kindle

DC Comics has recently released its first set of collected editions of Amazon's Kindle reader. Details at the DC Comics blog The Source at http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/11/22/new-dc-entertainment-storefront-launches-on-amazon-com/.

Comics Papers at NEPCA

The following papers where presented this weekend at the annual NEPCA conference. I attended the keynote and second session and learned a lot from the presentations.

FRIDAY, 11 NOV.
Comics and Graphic Novels I: Disturbing and Disturbed Bodies
Chair: Lance Eaton, Emerson College

“ ‘I Know it When I See it’: Mike Diana’s Use of Childhood Iconography as ‘Obscene’ Mode of Discourse”—Lisa Cunningham, University of West Georgia

“Boundless Monstrosity: The Evolution and Intertextual Development of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”—Lance Eaton, Emerson College

“Bam! Biff! Pow!: Batman and the Evolution of the American Romantic Hero”—Forrest C. Helvie, Indiana University of Pennsylvania


RECEPTION/KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Professor William H. Foster, III

SATURDAY, 12 NOV.

Comics and Graphic Novels II: Damsels Causing Distress
Chair: Lance Eaton, Emerson College

“ She-Hulk: A Cultural Study of the Pornographic ‘Angry’ Woman”—D. L. Stephenson, Western Connecticut State University

“Vampiric Viragoes: Villainizing and Sexualizing Arthurian Women in King Arthur v. Dracula (2005) and Madame Xanadu (2008)”—Kate Allocco, Western Connecticut State University

“Women in Comics”: Jessica Gamache, Western Connecticut State University

“Drawing from the Margins: Truth, Fiction, and Power in Marisa Acocella Marchetto’s Cancer Vixen”—Lindsey Hanlon, Boston College

CFP Transnational Boys’ Love (BL) Fan Studies

Transnational Boys’ Love (BL) Fan Studies, special issue of TWC
Call for Papers Date: 2012-03-01
Date Submitted: 2011-06-06
Announcement ID: 185722


“Transnational Boys’ Love Fan Studies,” a special issue of Transformative Works and Cultures, edited by Kazumi Nagaike and Katsuhiko Suganuma, Oita University

The editors of this special issue of Transformative Works and Cultures seek papers examining the activities of transnational ‘BL’ (Boys’ Love) fans, fan communities, fandom, and the production of fan fiction beyond Japan and North America. Specifically, we are seeking contributors who are engaged in the exploration of non-Japanese and non-North American contexts (e.g. Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, and others). Transnational BL fan studies may also be incorporated into the broader socio/political critical frameworks offered by studies in economics, gender/sexuality, race/class, and other areas.

‘BL’ (Boys’ Love), a genre of male homosexual narratives (consisting of manga, novels, animations, games, films, and so forth) written by and for women, has recently been acknowledged, by Japanese and non-Japanese scholars alike, as a significant component of Japanese popular culture. The aesthetic and style of Japanese BL have also been assumed, deployed and transformed by female fans transnationally. The current thrust of transnational BL practices raises a number of important issues relating to socio/cultural constructs of BL localization and globalization.

We welcome submissions dealing with, but not limited to, the following topics:

--Case-studies and ethnographic examinations of BL fans, specifically examining fans’ sex/gender, age, occupation, class, race/ethnicity, et cetera.

--Local ethnographies relating to BL fans’ production, distribution, and use of these materials. Discussions concerning the ways in which broadly framed socio/political issues or forms of consciousness (e.g. gender/sexuality formations, authorities’ interference, censorship, and so forth) impact fans’ BL activities.

--Media and social responses to fans’ involvement in BL activities.

--Commercial aspects of BL and fans’ contribution to the development of BL economics.

--The integration of research on BL fans into a wider discussion of social theory, differing cultural discourses, and globalization.

--Discussions concerning the ways in which BL fans’ forms of production, distribution, and consumption might challenge traditional notions of Author, Reader, and Text.

--Theoretical overviews reflecting traditional/contemporary ideas of fandom, fans, fan communities, and fans’ means of communications, demonstrating how these ideas specifically relate to BL fans.

--Explorations of the ways in which BL participants are motivated to become involved in other fan-oriented activities (e.g. cosplay; female fans’ cross-dressing as male BL characters).

##Submissions##

TWC accommodates academic articles of varying scope as well as other forms that embrace the technical possibilities of the Web and test the limits of the genre of academic writing. Contributors are encouraged to include embedded links, images, and videos in their articles or to propose submissions in alternative formats that might comprise interviews, collaborations, or video/multimedia works. We are also seeking reviews of relevant books, events, courses, platforms, or projects.

--Theory: Often interdisciplinary essays with a conceptual focus and a theoretical frame that offer expansive interventions in the field. Peer review. Length: 5,000–8,000 words plus a 100–250-word abstract.

--Praxis: Analyses of particular cases that may apply a specific theory or framework to an artifact; explicate fan practice or formations; or perform a detailed reading of a text. Peer review. Length: 4,000–7,000 words plus a 100–250-word abstract.

--Symposium: Short pieces that provide insight into current developments and debates. Editorial review. Length: 1,500–2,500 words.

Submissions are accepted online only. Please visit TWC’s Web site for complete submission guidelines, or e-mail editor@transformativeworks.org.

##Due dates##

Contributions for blind peer review (Theory and Praxis essays) are due by March 1, 2012.

Contributions that undergo editorial review (Symposium, Interview, Review) are due by April 1, 2012.



Kazumi Nagaike, nagaikeoita-u.ac.jp
Katsuhiko Suganuma, suganumaoita-u.ac.jp
Oita University, Japan
Email: nagaike@cc.oita-u.ac.jp
Visit the website at http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/announcement/view/19

CFP: Rocky Mountain Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels

CFP: Rocky Mountain Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels, June 15-16, 2012
Location: Colorado, United States
Call for Papers Date: 2012-01-15
Date Submitted: 2011-08-28
Announcement ID: 187474


CFP: Rocky Mountain Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels, June 15-16, 2012

Rocky Mountain Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels, June 14-15, 2012, is a new literary conference devoted solely to the scholarly study and teaching of the sequential arts. What sets this conference apart from others is its unique mission to combine an educational classroom initiative with the benefits of theoretical and critical discourse. RMCCGN is being held in conjunction with the newly-emerging Denver Comic Con at the top-rated Colorado Convention Center, June 15-17 2012. All profits from both events directly benefit Comic Book Classroom, a nonprofit free after-school program for children, whose focus is raising literacy through comic books and graphic storytelling.

The conference is designed to bring together a wide range of theoretical, pedagogical, and disciplinary perspectives, and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as academic, independent, and fan scholars. Any topics in the field of comics and graphic novels are welcome.

We seek proposals of 200-300 words for talks of 15-20 minutes in length and should be sent along with a brief, 100-word biography to Christina Angel at christina@comicbookclassroom.org. Deadline for submission is January 15, 2012 and notification of acceptance or rejection will be emailed by or before March 1, 2012.

Please visit our websites: www.comicbookclassroom.org and www.denvercomiccon.com for more information about these events.

Exciting guest announcements are coming soon – stay tuned!



Christina Angel, PhD
christina@comicbookclassroom.org
Email: christina@comicbookclassroom.org
Visit the website at http://denvercomiccon.com

CFP Graphic Novels, Comics and Popular Culture SWTXPCA

Call for Papers: Graphic Novels, Comics and Popular Culture-SWTXPCA 2012 Feb 8-11th
Location: New Mexico, United States
Call for Papers Date: 2011-12-01 (in 29 days)
Date Submitted: 2011-09-16
Announcement ID: 188088


Call for Papers: Graphic Novels, Comics and Popular Culture-SWTXPCA 2012

Please make plans to attend our 33rd Annual Conference
February 8-11, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference Center in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
330 Tijeras NW,
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 87102
Tel: +1 505 842 1234 or 888-421-1442
http://www.swtxpca.org

Proposal submission deadline: December 1st 2011

The SW/TX PCA/ACA area chair invites papers on Comics, Graphic Novels and Popular Culture.

Any Aspect of Comics and Graphic Novels in Popular Culture will be considered.

Possible panel/discussion topics

With the recent rise in the Superhero movies, a discussion of 2011’s summer of the superhero or superflop would be welcome eg., Captain America, Green Lantern, Thor, X-Men First Class. What is the future of the superhero based movie?

Pedagogical approaches to teaching graphic novel content. This has become an increasingly important part of comic studies and the area chair seeks those scholars who would like to present on this topic.

Zombies and Vampires in comics continue to rise in popularity. Why are these monsters ideally suited for four colored pages?

Other topics:

Sequential Art and Storytelling
Manga, Anime and the Movies
Comic-Conventions-Fan Culture
Particular Artists or writers (Bendis, Steranko, Kirby, Everett, Niles, etc)
The Rise of the Graphic Novel
What is a Graphic Novel?
History of Newspaper Comics!
Gay Characters in comics
Film and Superheroes!
Adapting Graphic Novels for the Screen
Racism and the X-Men
Spiderman as the Everyman
Cartoon Network: Good or Bad for Comics
Comics and Philosophy
Graphic Novels as outlets for social justice (ie,, World War III )
Comics as political satire (eg,., Tom Tomorrow, Addicted To War )
Horror Comics
The Resurrection of Captain America-Why NO comic character ever stays dead?
DC, Marvel, and Comic corporations
Comics Studies and Film Studies: How do the two intersect?
The Definition of the Superhero.

Indies and their role
Comics and Graphic Novels around the world (eg., Tintin, Asterix).
The scholarly study of Graphic Novels/comics in the academy
Libraries and Graphic Novels

Proposal submission deadline: December 1st 2011

Please submit your title, and 100-250 word abstract through our website database which can be accessed at http://conference2012.swtxpca.org

33rd Annual Conference Southwest/Texas Popular/American Culture Association
February 8-11, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference Center in Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
Submission Deadline: 12/1/11
Priority Registration Deadline 12/31/11
Conference Hotel:
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
330 Tijeras NW,
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 87102
Tel: +1 505 842 1234 or 888-421-1442
http://www.swtxpca.org

Rob Weiner
Area Chair: Graphic Novels, Comics, and Popular Culture
Humanities Librarian Texas Tech University
Rweiner5@sbcglobal.net
http://www.swtxpca.org

CFP Religion and Comics

On the Scholarship of Religion and Comic Books
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Call for Papers Date: 2011-12-01 (in 29 days)
Date Submitted: 2011-09-12
Announcement ID: 187932


The last half-dozen years have seen an explosion in U.S. publications addressing the intersection of religion and comics, but little has been said on the body of work taken as a whole. Outside of individual reviews, rarely are these works discussed in terms of their applications, their intertextuality, their audiences, their shortcomings, or the new questions they raise. This panel is to act as a forum addressing either portions of these works, entire books, their shared space, or the next steps to which they may all lead. In addition to the print publications recommended below, this panel also invites reflections on some of the websites and blogs conducting similar work, also listed:

Books: Superheroes: Religion and Popular Culture (2005), Up, Up, and Oy Vey (2006), Our Gods Wear Spandex (2007), Superheroes and Gods: A Comparative Study from Babylonia to Batman (2007), Disguised as Clark Kent (2007), Holy Superheroes! Revised and Expanded Edition (2008), From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books (2008), The Jewish Graphic Novel: Critical Approaches (2008), Jews and American Comics (2008), India’s Immortal Comic Books: Gods, Kings, and Other Heroes (2009), Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books and Graphic Novels (2010), Supergods (2011), The Seven Spiritual Laws of the Superhero (2011), Do the Gods Wear Capes? (2011)

Online: ComicAttack.net “Comics Are My Religion” columns, ComicBookBin.com “Religion and Comics” columns, By Rao! Religion and Religion site, Jewish Comics blog, Faith in Four Colors site

Other English-language, U.S. market pieces of scholarship may be considered, but the focus should remain on already-produced analysis, not on works-in-progress nor on the comics themselves. Submissions should be thoughtful reflections on how these pieces function, what opportunities they present, where they may fail, and what has been overlooked.

Abstracts of 100-250 words, a C.V., and brief bio are due by December 1 to ADL@bu.edu for consideration. The full panel will be proposed for the Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) Annual Conference 2012 in Boston from April 11-14, 2012.



A. David Lewis
Boston University
Department of Religion
147 Bay State Road
Boston, MA 02115
Email: adl@bu.edu
Visit the website at http://captionbox.net/loosepages/?p=900

CFP Smallville Collection

Call for Submissions: Edited collection on the recently-concluded WB/CW television series Smallville (01/15/12, 06/01/12)
Call for Papers Date: 2012-01-15
Date Submitted: 2011-09-23
Announcement ID: 188301


Call for Submissions: Edited collection on the recently-concluded WB/CW television series Smallville.

Areas of analysis: American Studies, Cultural Studies, Fan Studies, Fan Studies, Film and Television Studies, Folklore, Gender Studies, Popular Culture Studies.

Editors: Cory Barker, Chris Ryan and Myc Wiatrowski, Bowling Green State University

When the WB/CW television series Smallville ended its unprecedented 10-year run this past May, it was the longest-running comic-book based series and the longest-running North American science fiction series in television history. The televised story of Clark Kent’s long, complicated journey to becoming Superman survived dysfunctional networks, actor and creator departures and two years in the “Friday night death slot.” Yet, despite the series’ decade-long stay on the air, very little has been written about Smallville in critical and academic circles. This collection of essays seeks to rectify this academic blind spot and examine Smallville from multiple perspectives and disciplines.

Potential topics for discussion include, but are not limited to:

*Clark Kent’s journey to becoming Superman within Smallville

*Character arcs for Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Chloe Sullivan, Oliver Queen and other Smallville supporting characters

*Clark Kent’s relationships with Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Chloe Sullivan and other supporting characters

*Relationships between other characters (i.e. Lex and Lionel, Chloe and Lois, Oliver and Chloe, etc.)

*Representations of masculinity, femininity, race, sexuality and family within Smallville

*Explorations of good and evil, heroes and villains and the concept of justice within Smallville

*Explorations of the role of legend and folklore within the diegetic framework of Smallville

*Smallville’s relationship to the Superman mythology or other Superman-related productions

*Smallville’s usage and representation of known DC Comics characters and stories

*Smallville’s narrative techniques, including “Freak of the Weak” stories and long-term story arcs

*Smallville’s visual style and practices, including special effects, direction and costuming

*Smallville as an example of the science fiction, superhero and teen drama genres

*Chapters discussing individual episodes or story arcs

*Critical reception to Smallville

*Smallville in popular culture

*Fan readings, productions and activities related to and about Smallville

The deadline for proposals of 500 words is January 15, 2012. Please email your abstract and a short biography to Smallville.Book@Gmail.com. The subject line should contain the writer’s surname followed by “Smallville Abstract.” If an abstract is selected for the collection, the full essay of 5,000-7,000 words will be due June 1, 2012.



Myc Wiatrowski
Department of Popular Culture
Bowling Green State University

7A Hanna Hall
Bowling Green, OH 43403
Office Phone: (419) 372-9182
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:00am-11:00am
Email: michaw@bgsu.edu

Making of Books

Marvel Worldwide recently released The Art of Captain America: First Avenger by Matthew K. Manning, and it can be ordered from the usual online dealers. The book includes a very brief introduction to the character of Captain America and his history and the remainder of the book presents a detailed look at making of the film with commentary by cast and crew. The book is well illustrated by pictures of costumes, weapons, and various concept art, though, as with Manning's The Art of Thor (2011), these do get somewhat boring after a while. In addition. unlike similar tomes, one never gets the sense here that either the filmmakers or stars had any connection with the character or his legacy; there are also few comments by comics creators, aside from some quotes by Joe Simon, Cap's creator, to connect the film to its origins. Instead, the filmmakers have become the spokesmen for the character and his legacy.

In contrast, Paul Ruditis's The Walking Dead Chronicles: The Official Companion Book (Abrams, 2011) is a well-illustrated and loving tribute to the television series and its comic book source. Forewords by show-runner Frank Darabont and series creator Robert Kirkman detail their involvement in the franchise, while the book itself, which features copious commentary by the cast and crew--all proponents of the comic and its TV adaptation--covers the history of The Walking Dead phenomenon from its initial proposal to hints for season two of the TV series, set to premiere on 16 October.


Other sections include detailed discussions on the makeup, visual effects and filming of the series, and, in addition to his narrative history Ruditis provides synopses of the first six issues of the comic, which parallel, events of the first season of the show and, later, synopses of each of the six television episodes.

Joe Simon Autobiography

Titan Books has recently published Joe Simon: My Life in Comics, an intimate look at the life and career of comics creator Joe Simon. It's a quick and interesting read that offers insight into the comic book industry and its history.

Joe Simon: My Life in Comics

ISBN: 9781845769307Joe Simon, Steve Saffel

Dimensions: 6 1/8” x 9 1/4“
Hardback: 256pp + 8pp colour
Publication date: June 21 2011
Illustration detail: 128 b&w, 8pp colourRRP $24.95

SYNOPSIS

In his own words, this is the life of Joe Simon, one of the most important figures in comics history, and half of the famous creative team Simon and Kirby. Joe Simon co-created Captain America, and was the first editor in chief of Marvel Comics (where he hired Stan Lee for his first job in comics).

Simon began his prolific career in the Great Depression, and this book recounts his journey to New York City, his first comic book work, his meeting with Jack Kirby, and the role comics played in wartime America. He remembers the near-death of the comics, and the scramble to survive. And he reveals what it was like to bring comics out of their infancy, as they became an American art form.

Marvel News

I've been remiss of late in reporting on affairs in Marvel Comics. Important stories of late include the death of Ultimate Peter Parker/Spider-Man in a truly heart-wrenching tale (details at Comics Alliance, as reported by David Uzumeri) by creators Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley and published in Ultimate Spider-Man No. 160 that paves the way, ultimately, for the introduction of a new multiracial Spider-Man and, as also reported by Uzumeri at Comics Alliance, the end of the long-running Uncanny X-Men series in anticipation of the launching of a new Uncanny X-Men series and Wolverine and the X-Men featuring a splintering of the team as result of the Schism crossover event.

Still More on the New 52

In case you're as deeply confused as me, I came across some interesting posts at Comics Alliance detailing how the New 52 universe differs from the established DCU. Primarily, the new universe is created as a result of the conclusion of Flashpoint (out in colected editions later in the year), and heroes have only been active for about 5 years! Detailed comments by David Uzumeri on the indivual books are in four parts: one, two, three, and four.

Uzumeri seems to be the DC guy at Comics Alliance and has also written a guides to the birth of the New 52 in
"The New 52 FAQ: Answering Your Questions about the Relaunched DC Universe" (31 Aug.), while a post by Andy Khouri details DiDio's disturbing news regarding DC's various Crises, which have been wiped from continuity: "DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio: No 'Crisis' Events In DCnU" (3 Oct.). Despite this, Earth-Two still exists, as reported in "DC Comics Announces Relaunched 'Justice Society Of America' And The Return Of Earth-Two" (28 Aug.) by Uzumeri, and its adventures will be chronicled by writer James Robinson, who returns to his Starman roots later this year in a 12-issue series on the Shade, which will perhaps bridge between the New 52 Earth and the new Earth-Two. 

Digital Comics Wars

Recently, Barnes and Noble has announced that it will pull some of its stock of collected editions and graphic novels published by DC Comics from its physical stores after DC announced an exclusive deal with Amazon.com to distribute digital editions of those books solely on its Kindle platform. Further details and links at Comics Alliance.

The New 52 Info

It occurred to me that readers may not be familiar with the New 52 being published this fall by DC Comics, and I've come across a handy introduction to the series and its various components (with details on all 52 new books) at io9.com. Another article on the site includes an interview with some of creators, including Dan DiDio, the current co-publisher of DC, who states part of the logic for the re-envisioning of the brand is to "bring a more youthful feel across the entire line." This is a rather disturbing comment because, as noted on the various posts from PopMatters, the overwhelming majority of comics readers are older males in their 20s, 30s and beyond, a demographic equivalent to the majority of DC's creators. In moving out of its niche, DC runs the risk of alienating its established fan base for short-term profit and the curiosity of new readers.

Wonder Woman's Dad

As further evidence of the companies attempts to alienate old readers with the New 52, DC Comics has recently revealed that the new Wonder Woman has been retconned a father in the figure of the Greek god Zeus. Details at the Source, DC's blog, and a reaction at the New York Post.

More on the New 52

Reaction to the new 52 has been dramatic, and Jill Pantozzi of Newsarama offers a particular strong reaction as a female fan in "Is THE NEW 52 The Wrong Relaunch?" (28 Sept.).

DC's The New 52

DC Comics recently rebooted the entire DC Universe in an effort to attract new readers. The initial details can most easily be accessed by an article on Newsarama. Now that the books are coming out, some of the fallout has been detailed on the PopMatters website. The following pieces were most insightful:

"DC Reboot Gives Comics a 'Logan's Run' For Their Money" (10 June 2011) by Lana Cooper

"Detective Comics 881: The Death of a 74-Year-Old Legend" (15 August 2011) by Michael D. Stewart

"A Pointless, Truncated History Winds Up the "Batman" " (22 August) by Michael D. Stewart

"Is It Just Us?" [review of new Justice League series] (2 Sept.) by shathley Q

"Reanimated: Snyder Reasserts the Moody Genius of Swamp Thing" (9 September 2011) by Shawn O'Rourke

"Choice in DC Comics' New 52" (19 Sept.) by shathley Q

"Revisiting the Rabbit Hole in 'Batman #1' " (23 September) by Michael D. Stewart

"Thus Far: DC's New 52 at the Halfway Mark" (26 September 2011) by shathley Q and Michael D. Stewart 

"The Flash's Long Road Back to Existence" (30 September) by Andrew Ly

"Prodigal Sons and Daughters Return in Teen Titans #1" (30 September) by Shawn O'Rourke

"It's All About Putting on Appearances for 'Superman #1' " (30 Sept.) by Charles Moss

"Missed Directions: The Involved Psychology of the Hunt In "Green Arrow #2" " (3 Oct.) by  shathley Q 

"An Awfully Big Adventure: Wrapping Up DC’s Extreme Makeover" (5 Oct.) by Michael D. Stewart

Additional content can be found on the site's recent news page for comics.

Heroes and Superheroes

I've added a new section to the blog on "Heroes and Superheroes" to keep track of the interesting and/or insightful pieces I have come across in using heroes as a writing topic these past three years as an adjunct at the Community College of Rhode Island. I hope you find them useful and welcome further suggestions.

Michael Torregrossa

Early American Comics at Dartmouth

The Dartmouth College Library's digital collection now features downloadable PDFs of the following examples of nineteenth-century American comics alongside a variety of books, manuscripts, maps, and other material:

 Töpffer, Rodolphe. The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck. New York: Wilson & Co., [184-?]. 

The first comic book printed in the U.S.

The Fortunes of Ferdinand Flipper. New York: Published at the Brother Jonathan Office, 185-?. 

The first comic book written in the U.S.